A machine (20) for lapping or testing gears comprising a single machine column (22) having a first side (24) oriented perpendicular to a second side (26) with the first side having a first workpiece spindle (28) rotatable about a first axis and the second side having a second workpiece spindle (38) rotatable about a second axis. The first workpiece spindle is movably secured to the first side and the second workpiece spindle is movably secured to the second side. The first and second workpiece spindles are movable with respect to one another along one or more of mutually perpendicular directions G, H, and V. At least one, and preferably both, of the spindles are direct drive spindles. At any relative position of the spindles and their associated gear members (36, 48) along the G, H and V directions, the crossing points of their respective axes remains the same. For lapping, the machine further includes means (64, 66) to introduce lapping compound at the toe end of one of the members rotating in mesh at a location before the point of mesh.